Microchip with DNA Preservation Chamber for Re-examination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Disposable microchips for DNA analysis prevent re-examination of results since the sample is discarded with the chip, lacking a mechanism for preserving DNA samples for re-evaluation.
Innovation Solution
A microchip design incorporating a cell lysis chamber, DNA extraction chamber, and a DNA preservation part connected via a flow path, allowing a portion of the DNA sample to be analyzed and the remaining sample to be preserved separately for re-examination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a disposable microchip is used for DNA analysis, then the analysis process is simplified and automated, but the sample cannot be re-examined since it is disposed with the chip
Solution Approach 1:
The microchip is divided into functionally independent chambers: a DNA analysis part (containing cell lysis chamber, DNA extraction chamber, and PCR chamber) and a DNA preservation part (containing preservation chamber). These chambers are connected via flow paths but operate independently, allowing the preservation part to retain DNA samples while the analysis part is discarded after use.
Solution Approach 2:
The DNA preservation part is extracted as a separate functional unit from the disposable analysis part. The preservation chamber is connected via flow paths to the analysis chambers, enabling DNA to be transferred and preserved while the analysis components remain disposable.
2Ease of manufacture
If a disposable microchip is used, then manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but re-examination capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The microchip structure is segmented into a disposable analysis portion and a reusable preservation portion. The preservation chamber with its connection to flow paths allows DNA samples to be retained and recovered for re-examination, while the analysis chambers maintain their disposable nature for cost-effective manufacturing.
3Reliability
If the entire microchip is made reusable, then re-examination is enabled, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than making the entire microchip reusable, only the preservation chamber and its associated flow path components are designed for reuse. The analysis chambers (cell lysis, DNA extraction, PCR) remain disposable, reducing overall device complexity while enabling re-examination functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The preservation functionality is extracted as a separate reusable component connected via flow paths to the disposable analysis part. This extraction allows re-examination capability to be added without making the entire complex analysis system reusable.
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided a microchip useful for re-examination of a DNA analysis result. The microchip comprises a DNA analysis part configured to analyze DNA, which comprises at least a cell lysis chamber for cell lysis and a DNA extraction chamber which is connected to the cell lysis chamber and configured to extract DNA from lysed cells, and a DNA preservation part which is connected to the DNA analysis part via a flow path and configured to preserve a partial portion of a DNA sample.